18990_Authority_Feb_2026

58 The Authority │ February Conclusion The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association has long stood for excellence in operation and service. Today, that definition of excellence must expand to include excellence in communication. The water you treat and the waste you manage are vital, but so is the trust you cultivate. By committing to rigorous crisis planning, executing empathetic and transparent crisis response, and embracing modern, human-centric community engagement trends, Pennsylvania’s authorities can secure your most valuable asset: your reputation. S About the Author: Cass Bailey is the CEO of Slice Communications, an integrated agency with offices in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Illinois that recently acquired Henry & Germann Public Affairs (HGPA). The acquisition brought together Slice’s expertise in integrated marketing and digital engagement with HGPA’s decades of experience in industrial risk communication, facility siting, and community advisory panels. She is also the author of "Pay Attention!" and "Social Media is About People” and the founder of the Social Media Collaborative, a nonprofit membership organization. For more information on crisis planning, reputation management, and community engagement services, visit www.SliceCommunications.com .